Though each of the four men in the Hokage's office harbored private ambitions, they stood—at least on the surface—on the same side.
And they all knew it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to pass the mantle of Fourth Hokage to Namikaze Minato.
So when Danzō deliberately brought up the relationship between Minato and Uchiha Jin, his meaning could not have been clearer.
Hiruzen cleared his throat.
"Minato is naturally warm. He gets along with civilians and shinobi alike. Uchiha Jin is not some special case."
"They were classmates at the Academy. A close relationship is perfectly normal."
Minato was beloved in Konoha. Like a small sun, he drew people toward him without effort.
It wasn't just Jin.
Even Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha clan head, had a good relationship with Minato. Their wives were close friends.
Hiruzen saw no danger in it.
Homura nodded in agreement.
"Minato's character, ability, and strength all make him an excellent candidate for Hokage."
"If he can build bridges with the Uchiha, that speaks to his charisma."
He adjusted his glasses.
"He is young, though. Inexperienced."
"When he becomes Fourth Hokage, we elders will guide him. Help him shoulder the burden. Nothing will spiral out of control."
Homura was deeply satisfied with Minato.
The young man was respectful. Always greeted him as "Elder Homura." Proper, polite.
Unlike Orochimaru—cold, aloof, and, on more than one occasion, openly dismissive.
The contrast made the choice obvious.
Danzō let out a cold snort.
"You are all being naïve."
"Give Uchiha Jin to me. Within two years, I will turn him into the sharpest blade in Konoha."
He had long known Minato's ascension was inevitable.
But Jin?
Jin was different.
If he could secure someone on par with the Yellow Flash, Root's strength would skyrocket.
Mentioning Jin's closeness to Minato had only been a prelude—to create doubt, then make his move.
Hiruzen rejected it instantly.
"No."
"Danzō, the village already resents Root. If we drag a decorated war hero into your organization, it will only fuel unrest."
"Uchiha Jin will not join Root."
Danzō's voice hardened.
"What is wrong with Root?"
"Root exists for the sake of Konoha's prosperity! Let them whisper."
"I have no shame in my actions."
"And don't forget—Root suffered catastrophic losses. You ordered us to stand down and recover."
"You deny me one man—how am I supposed to rebuild?"
Hiruzen shook his head, unwavering.
"Anyone else, perhaps. But not Jin."
Still, he knew Root's losses were real.
Root was necessary.
There were things that had to be done in darkness.
Danzō's eye gleamed.
"Fine."
"If not Jin… then I want Uchiha Shisui."
Hiruzen froze.
In focusing on Jin, he had overlooked Shisui.
A mistake.
Shisui—descendant of Kagami Uchiha. A rare Uchiha who carried the Will of Fire.
Hiruzen had long intended to bring the boy close and nurture him personally.
But war and youth had delayed it.
Now Danzō had seized the opening.
Danzō pressed forward.
"Hiruzen. You just said anyone but Jin."
"You're not going back on your word, are you?"
Hiruzen's expression shifted subtly.
After a long pause, he spoke.
"As your comrade… I would not refuse you lightly."
"But as Hokage… I must."
Danzō blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Hiruzen explained calmly.
"As your friend, I could concede."
"As Hokage, I cannot."
"You and the Uchiha are already at odds. They would never hand one of their prodigies to you."
"The village cannot withstand further internal tension."
"So no. Not Shisui."
"In fact—no Uchiha."
He closed the path completely this time.
Danzō's jaw tightened.
"So you intend to break your word."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"I am the Hokage."
The title fell like a hammer.
Again.
"Damn it!" Danzō's face darkened.
Once more, he had been crushed beneath that single word.
Hokage.
Hiruzen brushed the matter aside.
"I'll provide you a list later. Choose from that."
Then he shifted the topic.
"Now, the Mist front."
"I've decided."
"We will rotate the Mist front forces in batches, under the pretext of guarding against renewed aggression."
"The Uchiha will return in the first rotation."
"After I speak with Fugaku… we'll bring the others back."
The room fell quiet again.
Power.
Pressure.
Strategy wrapped in civility.
In Konoha, wars were not fought only on battlefields.
Some were decided in rooms like this.
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